FC Halifax Town: Harvey awaits his fate after Wembley success

Jim Harvey admits he is in the dark about his future after guiding FC Halifax Town to victory in the FA Trophy final over Grimsby at Wembley.

The Town boss’ contract is up and there were strong rumours yesterday that North Ferriby manager Billy Heath is set to replace Harvey at the helm.

Harvey is expecting news on his situation today and would like the opportunity to stay at the club.

He said: “My contract was until the end of the season and I don’t know what will happen next.

“I know the chairman is going to announce something tomorrow (Monday). I hope he is going to announce that he is going to speak to me and offer a new contract.

“But that is up to him. It is not something I can answer, apart from saying that I hope he does offer it to me. I would love to do the job.

“I have really enjoyed it and I hope he says I can have the job.”

Harvey praised the reaction of his players to the disappointment of being relegated.

“This is the first time I have been involved with a team that has been relegated and it is horrible,” he said. “I have them a week off to go and lick their wounds.

“But we came back in and things were bright. Fair play to the chairman, he put his hand in his pocket to make things easier for us in terms of preparation.

“We trained at Milton Keynes and then Barnet. We stayed in a nice hotel. It allowed us to ditch the disappointment and focus on the final. The players responded extremely well.”

“It is 100 odd years and we hadn’t been to Wembley before. For a town to bring 10,000 fans is terrific. And a lovely feeling from my point of view.

“When I first turned up, there was not a lot to feel good about. To turn that around and give those fans a win, that is where my satisfaction comes from. We have given those people a day to remember.”

Harvey feels The Shaymen should have avoided the drop and says he has enjoyed his time at The Shay.

“This team was dead and buried six months ago. No-one was giving them a chance and the supporters had given up on them,” he said.

“In truth, though, we should have avoided relegation. But we got to the final and won it, that speaks volumes for the character of our players.

“I have really enjoyed working with them. The players have given me everything. Sometimes, the quality has not been there but the commitment and desire has. “They just needed a little bit of organisation and I feel to have helped.

“To beat Grimsby, who are going into the Football League, is a massive result.“

Harvey revealed Scott McManus, who scored the winner at Wembley, suffered a suspected cruciate ligament injury in the game.

“Scott is loved by the supporters. For him to score with his right foot, which he stands on usually, was wonderful,” Harvey added.

“That will live long in the memory of supporters. He is a tremendous character, a talented footballer. I hope the injury is not too bad. I am not quite sure exactly the extent but the physio thinks it could be a cruciate ligament injury.”